Report as Kylian Mbappe scores in either half as PSG earn a 4-1 aggregate win over Real Sociedad with 2-1 win on the night in San Sebastian; Mikel Merino pulls late consolation back for hosts, but PSG cruise through to quarter-finals
Wednesday 6 March 2024 07:48, UK
Kylian Mbappe said he has "no problems" with manager Luis Enrique after playing the full 90 minutes for Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday for the first time since February 14, the forward scoring both goals in their 2-1 Champions League win at Real Sociedad.
The France captain, who scored either side of half-time to help PSG reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2021, informed the Ligue 1 club last month that he would leave them as a free agent at the end of the season.
Mbappe came off the bench in a 2-0 win over Nantes last month and was substituted in PSG's last two Ligue 1 matches, both of which ended in draws.
"I always want to play in the Champions League - it is a very important competition. I could never be a player who hides," Mbappe told broadcaster Canal Plus.
"My relationship with the coach is good. There is no problem even if people might think that there is. I have many issues but the coach is not one of them."
Asked about Mbappe's substitutions in recent games, manager Luis Enrique told Canal Plus: "Kylian will score 50 goals, make 25 assists with any coach, any team.
"Apparently, his immediate future won't be here so we'll have to test other solutions."
PSG, who advanced 4-1 on aggregate, return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday when they host Reims.
After a remarkable group stage when they went unbeaten to finish ahead of last-year's finalists Inter Milan in Group D, LaLiga side Real Sociedad, who are struggling with injuries and have won one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, ran out of steam.
Mbappe was enjoying an inspired night and his speed and agility were too much for the hosts' defence to handle. He was virtually unstoppable down left channel and Tuesday's double means he has scored 11 of PSG's last 15 Champions League knockout goals.
"We knew right away that we couldn't go to sleep. If they had opened the scoring, they would have pushed on with their fans' backing," Mbappe added.
"We had to dampen their hopes early on. That's what we did, and we're very happy to be back in the quarter-finals."
Mbappe created a couple of opportunities early on before scoring the opener with a fabulous curling strike in the 15th minute.
After receiving a long pass from Ousmane Dembele, he surged into the box, darting in from the byline and feigning to shoot, before shifting the ball out of his feet again and creating just enough space to fire a curling effort into the far corner.
The goal silenced a sold-out Reale Arena, who were seemingly stunned by the vision and technique of the France captain, who had a similar effort later denied by keeper Alex Remiro.
But Mbappe scored again in the 56th minute as he took a Kang-In Lee through ball in his stride before bursting into the box and beating the goalkeeper at his near post.
PSG seemed content to sit back against a tame Real Sociedad who carried little threat for most of the game.
They tried to make a late push, but were first denied by the post from a Martin Zubimendi strike and then by keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who made a fine reflex save to deny Benat Turrientes from close range.
Merino finally netted a consolation goal in the 89th minute with a deflected strike, but it was too little too late to prevent PSG reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in three years.
Europa Conference League-chasing Real Sociedad travel to Granada on Saturday afternoon in LaLiga; kick-off 5.30pm.
Ligue 1 leaders PSG return their attentions to the league on Sunday when they host Reims on Sunday; kick-off 12pm.
Anthony Joshua's heavyweight showdown with Francis Ngannou takes place on Friday March 8, live on Sky Sports Box Office with the main event expected around 11pm. Book Joshua vs Ngannou now!
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